Support In Health Sector Enhances Nepal-China Ties

Nepal and China have shared a friendly and cooperative relationship, one that has grown stronger over the years. China's sustained assistance for Nepal in the latter's development ambitions has remained a characteristic of ties between the two neighbours. The recent completion of the upgrading and restoration project at the Civil Service Hospital is yet another milestone in this relationship. It is truly heartening to see that China has been extending support to promote its tiny neighbour's health institutions. The handover ceremony sponsored by the Chinese Embassy, the Guangzhou Engineering Construction Company, and the Civil Service Hospital is a testament to the cooperation and support that China has offered to Nepal over the years. The upgradation project of the hospital, which the government has intended to grow into a super-specialty health facility in the country, is a key milestone in Nepal's attempts to provide improved health services to its people.

Addressing the handover ceremony on Friday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘ Prachanda’ praised China for extending support for Nepal's development endeavours, which has been crucial in creating development infrastructures, enhancing connectivity, providing health facilities, developing human resources, and supporting people's livelihoods. The deep and close Nepal-China economic cooperation that the two nations have been enjoying for decades is obvious from the numerous projects that China has supported to initiate, run and accomplish in Nepal. 

In addition to Civil Service Hospital, China has also aided Nepal in building the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur. Many doctors and other health practitioners have graduated from different universities in China, and this has enabled them to do excellent jobs in Nepal's hospitals. China's praiseworthy assistance of life-saving vaccines, key medical equipment, and other essential medical supplies during the COVID-19 epidemic and 2015 earthquake is highly appreciated. Nepal feels grateful for China's genuine sympathy and support during these trying times. As a close neighbour, good friend, and trusted partner, Nepal wishes to build a deeper level of economic engagement and partnership with China.

In the health sector, Nepal wishes to have more cooperation with China to ensure access to better health services, improve health facilities, expand health infrastructures, equip hospitals with modern and state-of-the-art facilities, impart required knowledge and skills to doctors and health workers, and transfer technology that our hospitals and health facilities are in need of. PM Prachanda complimented President Xi Jinping for his goal of 'Building a Global Community of Health for All," noting that it is highly admirable, and Nepal is looking forward to developing cooperation and partnership with China under this vision. China's promise to supporting the hospital by delivering CAR-T-Shell technology to treat blood cancer is a crucial step towards accomplishing these goals. Nepal sees enormous potential for the hospital to become a centre of excellence and provide world-class medical treatment with the cooperation of friendly countries like China.

Nepal and China have a long history of friendly, cordial, and cooperative relations, and with China's cooperation. Nepal aims to realise its goal of delivering improved health facilities and services to its people. Over the years, these ties have deepened at the government's and people's levels. Following the Civil Service Hospital’s handover after its renovation, we convey our profound appreciation and thanks to the government of the People's Republic of China, and we look forward to greater cooperation between two friendly nations in the future as well.